Revised: November 4, 2021

Tips for Completing VS 16-3

***For faster and easier application submission and review by our office, please utilize our 

online system, APHIS eFile, to create and submit your application. If you are unable to 

utilize our online system, then please complete a PDF VS 16-3 application and submit it via 

email to apie@usda.gov.

If you do not utilize the online APHIS eFile system, a fully completed VS 16-3 will be required 

for each new permit, permit amendment, and permit renewal request.

Before you fill out your VS Form 16-3

APHIS Veterinary Services has a new tool, the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant 

(VSPA), which provides guidance on VS admissibility requirements for international import, 

international transit, and domestic interstate movement of VS-regulated materials.

The Permitting Assistant does not require any login or special access. Get started 

today at https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/vs-permitting-assistant

Use the VSPA to search for your materials, filter the results based on their characteristics, and 

add them to your request. Once added, the Permitting Assistant will organize your materials 

into the appropriate number of required applications. 

• Important: the number of VS 16-3 forms required is based on how the VSPA has 

grouped your materials. The last page of this document illustrates how to map your 

materials when more than one VS 16-3 is required.

The VSPA Request Summary will also provide an estimated processing fee based on your 

request. 

Complete your VS Form 16-3

1. VS 16-3 Block #3 - Provide detailed Importer information (name, organization, complete 

address, telephone number, fax number and email address) of the individual who will receive 

and be responsible for the imported material). This must be a person who resides in the 

United States or operates a business establishment within the United States.

*NOTE: The Applicant (Importer) in Block #3 must be the same person that signs the VS 

Form 16-3 Block #11 Signature of Applicant and Block #12 Typed Name and Title. The

exporter cannot apply/submit application for the USDA Import Permit. 

2. VS 16-3 Block #4 - Provide detailed list of the various shippers (exporting company or 

institution name, address, city, country, email address, and phone number) from which 

product will be procured. There is no need to specify the name and address of the company 

providing transportation services. 

3. VS 16-3 Block #5 – Identify the product to be imported and indicate whether it is a set of 

single materials or a multi-ingredient product. A multi-ingredient product is a commodity that is 
Revised: November 4, 2021

made up of multiple ingredients, of which one or more ingredients are of animal origin. Be 

sure to list all animal origin materials/ingredients (ex. gelatin, milk, etc.). For each animal 

origin ingredient/material, identify the species and country(s) of origin of the source animals, 

the tissue(s) from which the raw animal product was sourced, and the processing country(s).

*NOTE: Use the VSPA to gather this information. Include the first two lines of text from 

each material listed on your application summary, which includes the material name and 

animal origin, country of origin, country of export (if applicable), intended use, and the PR 

number. If you are importing a commodity that is made up of multiple ingredients, of which 

one or more ingredients are of animal origin, please be sure to list the product name and 

then the ingredients in the product. Example: 

A. Single material (not as an ingredient within a product): 

Fresh Unfertilized Eggs of Avian Origin, from Argentina for commercial purposes, 

PR-012973.

B. Product with one or more animal-origin ingredients: 

My Product with animal-origin ingredients: 

1. Gelatin as an Ingredient of Bovine Cow or Bison Origin From: France For 

Commercial Purposes PR-000220. 

2. Blood Meal as an Ingredient of Avian Origin From: France For Commercial 

Purposes | Exported From: France PR-023946. 

Instructions on using the VSPA can be found here: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/banner/help/efile/efile-training

4. VS 16-3 Block #5 – If the product is a cell culture or product of cell culture – indicate here and 

also complete supplementary form VS 16-7. 

5. VS 16-3 Block #7 - Provide information on the proposed use of material and derivatives. If the 

material will be distributed, please specify here. (Also, for animal pathogens or vectors, 

describe facilities/biosafety procedures). Example: Commercial/Wholesale, Retail Sale, 

Research at my facility, to be combined to with other ingredients to make final product, etc. 

6. VS 16-3 Block #8 – If the imported product or a derivative will be used in any animals 

(including research animals), identify the animal species.

7. VS 16-3 Block #9 - Provide details of treatment of material prior to importation into the U.S. 

(Processing/purification methods, including time at specific temperatures, pH, other 

treatments, disease safeguards, etc.). 

8. VS 16-3 Block #10 - Provide details of method of final disposition of imported material and 

derivatives (all material will be used, retail, wholesale, autoclave, incinerate, etc.).

9. VS 16-3 Block 11 – Signature of Applicant is required. 

10. VS 16-3 Block 12 – Typed name and title is required.
Revised: November 4, 2021

VS Form 16-3 and VSPA Applications Summary – Side-by-Side